The Style Glossy: Hair Studio

Give New Life to Winter Hair

By Brooke Le Poer Trench for The Style Glossy

We complain about the humidity all summer long, but when it disappears, our hair stops shining along with our T-zone. “To have good hair in winter, you’ve got to know what you’re up against and how to beat the elements,” says stylist Jayne Wild, director of Wild Life Hairdressing in Sydney. Thankfully, it’s easier than it sounds.

Tackle Static
Virtually every hair type is more prone to static in winter, because there is less moisture in the air, according to Nikki Yazxhi, editor of beauty blog Bella Mumma. “Even the fact that you wear different manmade fibres exacerbates the problem,” she says. The good news is that well-nourished hair copes better, so switch to a moisturising shampoo and conditioner. Another trick: Spray a small amount of hair spray on a natural bristle brush and smooth it from the roots to the ends -- stiff plastic bristles actually encourage static.

Rethink Your Routine
“A lot of people change their skin routine in winter but forget to do the same for their hair. Within weeks, their hair is dull and frizzy,” says Wild. If your issue is compounded with limpness, apply conditioner from the ears down. And unless you have very fine hair, use a deep conditioning mask once a week. A dab of silicone-based serum before blow-drying will tame the frizz too.

Add Colour
When you look dull all over, you might consider booking a facial. But your cash may be better spent on adding a new colour to your hair. A few streaks around the hairline and the part of your hair can brighten your whole look. The trick is to only highlight a shade or two lighter than your natural colour so that everyone thinks you’ve just returned from holidays. Also, “a semipermanent hair color is the quickest way to add body and shine,” says Shane Henning, creative director of Noddy's On King in Sydney. Henning recommends going a little darker if you’re a brunette, and highlighting fair hair with warmer tones, like a soft caramel.

Use a Brush
Ask yourself: When was the last time I actually brushed my hair? Summer is all about messy layers, textured curls and easy-looking styles. So we often abandon traditional grooming for finger styling and a little salt spray. Wild says that finding your brush again can make a huge difference. “Running the brush from roots to ends will add moisture, as it distributes your natural oils,” she says. “And a paddle brush with a magnet in the handle can also prevent static by neutralising the electric charge.”

Try a New Style
Cashmere scarves and wool hats can be exciting after a long, hot summer, but when you peel away the layers, your hair can look a little Young Einstein. Henning suggests an elegant updo, such as a soft chignon. Use a fine-tooth comb to gently tease the top and sides of your hair, and just a little at the crown; sweep your hair straight back with your hands into a low ponytail; tease the underside of the pony using the fine-tooth comb and twist into a loose bun, using pins to secure it. Mist with a little hair spray to finish. 

Get a Cut
Dry, frizzy ends are a result of lack of moisture, and sometimes damage too. Yazxhi says that losing even half an inch or snipping off the ends every six weeks can make a huge difference. “Experiment with noncommittal styles like fringes and shorter layers around your face. These are much easier to wear in the cooler months and will have grown out by summer when you tend to wear your hair off your face,” she says. 

So, Style Glossy readers, what is your greatest winter hair woe?

Brooke Le Poer Trench is a freelance journalist, who writes for Madison and Harper’s Bazaar. She has worked as a beauty writer for CLEO, and as a senior editor of Allure and Cosmopolitan in the U.S.